INTERIOR MINISTRY DIRECTIVE ON MEASURES AGAINST POTENTIAL REFUGEES

Document Type: 
Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP80T00246A054100280001-0
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
S
Document Page Count: 
3
Document Creation Date: 
December 22, 2016
Document Release Date: 
October 25, 2010
Sequence Number: 
1
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
May 16, 1960
Content Type: 
REPORT
File: 
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PDF icon CIA-RDP80T00246A054100280001-0.pdf103.32 KB
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Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/10/25: CIA-RDP80T00246A054100280001-0 INFORMATION REPORT I N FORMATION REPORT CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY This material contains information affecting the National Defense of the United States within the meaning of the Espionage Laws, Title 18, U.S.C. Secs. 793 and 794, the transmission or revelation of which in any manner to an unauthorized person is prohibited by law. COUNTRY East Germany SUBJECT Interior Ministry Directive on Measures against Potential Refugees DATE OF INFO. PLACE & DATE ACQ 1. In a directive classified "confidential and dated 12 April 1960, the 50X1-HUM East German Minister of the Interior instructs his subordinates on how to deal with "Berlin travelers" in order to stop those who might want to flee to the West. Stricter measures axe necessary, the directive claims, because of Western blandishments diW?ect~d in particular toward farmers and industrial wcrkers. 2. Among the features included in the directive are the following: a. The special importance of the subject is to be explained to all members of the armed forces under the jurisdieti.ort, of the ln.te--rior. Ministry. b. Immediate steps must, be taken to effect co-operation on the district (Kreis and Bezirk) level between organs of the People's Police and the Socialist Unity Party, in order to formulate mass appeals against travel to West Berlin - although the People's Police should remain in, the background. Constant visitcr.s to West Berlin are to be reported to the Ministry for State Security; District (Kreis) People's Police Offices will co-operate by identifying suspects with the aid of available files, and bx routing their names through the traffic police to customs officers. Provisions are to be made in particular to check farmers' organizations, and East German citizens spending nights in the border areas; the permit system (Erlaubniswesen) as well as increased control and surveillance of. individuals, trains, railroad stations, and other important points are to serve as means to this end. STATE ARMY NAVY AIR NSA FBI Li Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/10/25: CIA-RDP80T00246A054100280001-0 DATE DISTR. *$ Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/10/25: CIA-RDP80TOO246AO54100280001-0 c. Once the intention of a West Berlin visit is definitely established, the People's Police must seek reasons for a possible arrest of such travelers. If they are found to be mere visitors, their identification papers are to be replaced with two-week passes not valid for West Berlin. If there is reason to suspect that they want to escape from East Germany, or if they happen to be found guilty of other misdeeds, they are to be prosecuted under applicable laws. If major offenses are discovered, including es- pecially distribution of propaganda material, this must be reported to the Ministry for State Security. d. The need for co-operation between the armed forces of the Ministry of the Interior, the customs authorities and the Ministry for State Security is stressed in particular for the Berlin, Potsdam, and Frankfurt/Oder districts. S-E-C-R-E-T Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/10/25: CIA-RDP80T00246AO54100280001-0 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/10/25: CIA-RDP80T00246AO54100280001-0 Next 4 Page(s) In Document Denied Iq Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/10/25: CIA-RDP80T00246AO54100280001-0